Vertigo vs Diziness. Unambiguous distinction, anyone?

[Knicks]

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I read the definition of vertigo, and it pretty much sounds like diziness.

 

[MossPoh]

Everyone gets dizziness at some point. It really isn't an indicator of much.

Vertigo tends to have a specific direction to it. You will see someone falling to the right or whatever. That is more indiciative of something than general dizziness. If you ever experience them you will notice the difference.

Most patients will come in and complain of "dizziness". If it has a certain direction to it or you notice they keep falling to a particular side then take note. If it is just general dizziness/light headedness then it is rarely clinically relevant. I said rarely, because I'm sure there are times it is important. Just have to weigh it with the rest of your findings.

 

[p30doc]

Vertigo is a sense of spinning or turning while in a resting position, which of course sounds a like like diznniness, but it tends to be associated with changes in head position. There is something called the Dix-Hallpike Maneuver which helps test for this, you move the patients head through different positions while the pt. is seated upright, reclining at an incline, and supine with the head dropped off the edge of the table. Vertigo is further divided into central and peripheral vertigo each which tends to have its own set of associated symptoms. These can be distinguished by nystagmus, fatigability, intensity, and imbalance.

 

[turkeyjerky]

Vertigo is an illusory sensation of motion and usually relates to diseases of the inner ear. Dizziness is a nonspecific term and a frequent chief complaint. It includes vertigo, as well as lightheadedness, syncope, and poor balance. It's important to differentiate the two when taking a patient's history.

 

[ZagDoc]

Vertigo is an illusory sensation of motion and usually relates to diseases of the inner ear. Dizziness is a nonspecific term and a frequent chief complaint. It includes vertigo, as well as lightheadedness, syncope, and poor balance. It's important to differentiate the two when taking a patient's history.

👍

 

[GoBuckeyes913]

Vertigo is an illusory sensation of motion and usually relates to diseases of the inner ear. Dizziness is a nonspecific term and a frequent chief complaint. It includes vertigo, as well as lightheadedness, syncope, and poor balance. It's important to differentiate the two when taking a patient's history.

I totally agree. Dizziness is more of a subjective term, rather than a distinct definition. You will see a ton of patients with "dizziness", and the best way to figure out what they are feeling is simply by asking them. I usually ask "When you say dizzy, do you mean lightheaded, or that the room is spinning?" works like a charm, and then you know what direction you're headed in. 😀

 

[coffeebythelake]

Vertigo is an illusory sensation of motion and usually relates to diseases of the inner ear. Dizziness is a nonspecific term and a frequent chief complaint. It includes vertigo, as well as lightheadedness, syncope, and poor balance. It's important to differentiate the two when taking a patient's history.

👍👍

 

[Knicks]

I totally agree. Dizziness is more of a subjective term, rather than a distinct definition. You will see a ton of patients with "dizziness", and the best way to figure out what they are feeling is simply by asking them. I usually ask "When you say dizzy, do you mean lightheaded, or that the room is spinning?" works like a charm, and then you know what direction you're headed in. 😀

Much thanks for the input.

 

[Forthegood]

Vertigo is a sense of spinning or turning while in a resting position, which of course sounds a like like diznniness, but it tends to be associated with changes in head position. There is something called the Dix-Hallpike Maneuver which helps test for this, you move the patients head through different positions while the pt. is seated upright, reclining at an incline, and supine with the head dropped off the edge of the table. Vertigo is further divided into central and peripheral vertigo each which tends to have its own set of associated symptoms. These can be distinguished by nystagmus, fatigability, intensity, and imbalance.

This is awesome and I wish I had known this a 2 months ago when I got pimped on it. Sinusitis owned me that case... fail.

 

[Random Anesthesiologist]

I read the definition of vertigo, and it pretty much sounds like diziness.

Ever sucked helium out of a balloon? That's the dizziness feeling

Ever lost your sea legs? That's the vertigo feeling